The bustling Spanish city of Barcelona attracts thousands of tourists each year and is renowned for its world heritage sites which include several masterpieces by the 19th century Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. In stark contrast to the city’s various attractions steeped in history, art and culture, Barcelona could host Europe’s first man-made island and "space hotel." Barcelona Island would feature a 984 ft high hotel which promises “the world's first zero-gravity spa” – whatever that means.
US-based company Mobilona is currently on a mission to construct so-called space hotels around the world and has confirmed plans for a €1.5 billion (US$1.9 billion) initial investment for the development of Barcelona Island.
Visitors would be able to reach the futuristic tourist attraction via a pedestrian walkway stretching across the sea from the mainland. On the island tourists can experience a form of weightlessness in vertical wind tunnel or visit the 24-hour "Space Mall."
"The windows of Mobilona Space Hotels will be transparent glass displays that can be turned on during 'flights' and turned off when guests want to return from their 'Space Trip,'" says Mobilona Global CEO Jerome Bottari.
Barcelona’s mayor, Xavier Trias, has dismissed initial interest in the project even though City Hall will continue to review the proposal. "We have no need or desire to take on projects of this nature," Trias told Catalan news channel 3/24. "We have no intention of turning Barcelona into a spectacle."
However this has not deterred Mobilona, who has its sights on further Space Hotel projects proposed for Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
Sources: Barcelona Island, The Telegraph
Imagine strolling on a pedestrian walkway over the sea to get to Barcelona Island – it's like a crazy adventure before you even reach the 984 ft high hotel. And what's this about a "zero-gravity spa"? I have no clue, but sign me up – sounds like the kind of spa day I never knew I needed!
I'm already picturing myself floating around in a vertical wind tunnel and doing some intergalactic shopping in the 24-hour "Space Mall." Plus, those transparent glass displays for the 'Space Trip' – talk about a mind-blowing experience!
Hats off to Mobilona for dreaming big and making things happen. Barcelona's mayor might not be on board yet, but hey, sometimes you gotta shake things up. Massive thanks to the author for bringing this out-of-this-world news to our attention. Your knack for keeping us in the loop on the coolest stuff doesn't go unnoticed! Cheers to future space adventures!